Classroom/Library/Literacy Coach Collaboration beginning October 2001
Cinderella Variants (Literature Circles and Composition)
Kate Quinlan (5th grade)

Goals:
To compare cultural features of Cinderella variants
To compare our student-authored desert variants with student-authored variants from Australia

Objectives:
Students will learn norms for literature circle experiences.
Students will identify story elements (setting/characters/plot).
Students make comparisons to the characters/events in Perrault's Cinderella.
Students will chart and share the story elements.
Student will work in pairs to compose desert

TUSD Core Curriculum:

Language Arts - Reading
Analyze selections of fiction, nonfiction and poetry by identifying the plot line (i.e., beginning, conflict, rising action, climax and resolution); distinguish the main character from the minor ones; describe the relationship between the motivations of characters; and make inferences about the events, setting, style, tone, mood and meaning of a selection. (R-E3)

Compare and contrast the historical and cultural perspectives of literary selections. (R-E6)

Select literature from different cultural groups and compare and contrast historical and cultural perspectives (e.g., Cinderella stories from around the world).

6 Traits of Writing
Ideas and Content, Organization, Voice, and Conventions

1. Kate and I will model partner reading: one reading, one listening - Cinderella (Perrault/illustrated by Susan Jeffers) as a read aloud.

2. As we read, we will record story elements on a large chart/graphic organizer.

3. When we complete the book, model discussion. (Students will be comparing their versions of the Cinderella story to this one.)

4. Booktalk the Cinderella variants. Students will choose books to read in partners and/or small groups.

5. Students will use a graphic organizer to record the story elements.

6. They will present the story elements found in their variants and talk about/then write about the comparison.

Text Set:

Yeh Shen (Chinese) by Ai-Ling Louie
Egyptian Cinderella (Egyptian) by Shirley Climo
Little Gold Star (Mexican) by Joe Hayes
Sootface Girl (Algonquin) by Robert San Souci
Cendrillon (Carribean) by Robert San Souci
Cinderella Rebus (Perrault variant) by Ann Morris

Except for the rebus book, these are the titles that have ethnic cultural differences. The other titles could be read by you as read-alouds and/or by students/groups as they finish. These can also be charted for story elements.

7. Students will work in partners to compose Cinderella variants with Southwest features to send to their Australia sister class. Focus on cultural features.

8. Respond to Australian variants. Respond to their questions about our stories.

Information Literacy Standards: #3, #5, and #9

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